Device for identifying a particular entry in a horse race



Patented Jan. 30, 1951 s PATENT Vorrlcn:

DEVICE FOR I-DENTIFYING A PARTICULAR ENTRY IN A HGRSE RACE .lames S. Butler, Lewiston, Maine, assignor to Butler Head Number, inc., Lewiston, Maine, a

corporation of Maine Application October 9, 1947, Serial No. 778,856

2 Claims.

In my Patent Number 2,114,135, granted Api-11 12, 1938 the principal object of the invention is to employ a device for identifying a particular entry in a horse race and consists of a disc, supported on the head of the horse, between its ears, with a numeral or other identifying indicia, on each side of the disc, clearly visible to the spectators. The disc, in accordance with the teaching of said patent, is held in position by arms which engage portions of the bridle on opposite sides of the horses head. The device of said patent has been found to be satisfactory but experiments have proven that some of the parts may be eliminated without curtailing or reducing the advantages. An important object of the present invention is to provide an identifying device of this character which uses the same desirable indicia bearing disc vertically positioned between the horses ears with, however, a complete absence of head embracing parts, and embodying a simple bridle embracing means which may be snapped into engagement with the bridle and released from the latter expeditiously yet positively holding the identifying disc from` casual displacement or interference with the jockey.

It is also within the contemplationy of this invention to provide an indicia bearing disc and securing clip therefor which are directly secured together, the clip when in use being held from contact with the horse -by a resilient pad.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the present preferred form of the invention talren in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective View of an identifying means, constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating. its application;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the identifying device per se showing to advantage the manner of connecting the base of the identifying disc to the clasp;y

Figure 3 is an edge elevational view of the same; and

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the device Showing it in use on a bridle strap.

The device of the present invention consists of a plate or disc 5, preferably made of metal, and provided on the opposite faces thereof with identifying indicia 6. The plate or disc 5 issues into an extension 'I, the lower or base terminal of which is bent at right angles, as indicated at 8. The right angle portion 8 serves as an anchorage for a clasp or clip 9, the axis of the latter being substantially midway the ends of the part 8. The top of the clasp 9 is riveted or otherwise xedly secured to the right angle portion 8, as indicated at III. The clasp includes handles II at one end and jaws I2 at the opposite end, the jaws being adapted for engagement with a bridle I3 as indicated in Figure 4.

For the purpose lof preventing contact of the bottom of the clasp 9 with the horse, a resilient pad I4 is provided which is preferably made of soft rubber and covers the bottom face of the clasp from a point in proximity to its handle II to a point adjacent the extremity of its jaws I2.

In use of this device the handles II are relatively moved to separate the jaws I2 permitting the bridle strap I3 to be engaged there between. The strap I3 is preferably engaged between the jaws I2 as illustrated in Figure 4. In this position, one margin of the strap bears against hinge I5 of the jaws, the latter serving as an abutment to limit inward movement of the strap. The outer margin of the strap, as shown in Figure 4, projects beyond the free ends of the jaws I2. The jaws I2, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, are elongated so as to obtain a substantial purchase on the strap with obvious beneficial results. Consequently, in engaging the clasp with the bridle, when the handles II are compressed and the jaws open, the jaws may be engaged with the strap by a sliding movement of the entire identifying device until the bridle strap comes into contact with the hinge I5. This eliminates the possibility of play when the identifying device is engaged with the bridle and, correspondingly, eliminates the possibility of annoyance to the horse or the jockey.

It is understood that various changes may be made in this device within the scope of the claims herein appended.

What I claim is:

1. A device for identifying a particular entry in a horse race comprising, in combination with a bridle one of the straps of which extends across the head of the horse just aft of the ears, an indicia bearing plate equipped with an extension the free end of which is at right angles to the plate, a clasp secured to the right angle portion of the plate extension and including yieldable jaws which extend at right angles to the plate. said plate being secured to one of the jaws, the jaws adapted to be snapped into engagement with said bridle strap to support the plate in an upright position on the horse, approximately between the ears. Y

2. A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the 3 length of the jaws between the hinge and free terminals of the jaws is less than the Width of the strap whereby one margin of the strap bears against the hinge of the jaws to limit inward movement of the strap between the jaws.

JAMES S. BUTLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 4 UNITED STATES PATENTSy Name Date McGrady May 16, 1893 Underwood Sept. 3, 1895 Blincoe May 19, 1903 Miller Dec. 27, 1927 Calleri Nov. 18, 1930 Butler Apr. 12, 1938 Sparkman Sept. 8, 1942 

